betony

[ bet-n-ee ]

noun

, plural bet·o·nies.

1. a plant, Stachys (formerly Betonica ) officinalis, of the mint family, having hairy leaves and dense spikes of purple flowers, formerly used in medicine and dyeing.
2. any of various similar plants, especially of the genus Pedicularis.

betony

/ ˈbɛtənɪ /

noun

1. a Eurasian plant, Stachys (or Betonica ) officinalis , with a spike of reddish-purple flowers, formerly used in medicine and dyeing: family Lamiaceae (labiates)
2. any of several related plants of the genus Stachys
3. wood betony
   a North American scrophulariaceous plant, Pedicularis canadensis See also lousewort

Word History and Origins

Origin of betony¹

First recorded before 1000; late Middle English; Middle English betayny, betanie, from Medieval Latin betōnia, re-formation of Latin betōnica (Pliny), in earlier readings vettōnica (herba) “Vettonic (herb)” ( Vettōn(ēs) “an Iberian tribe” + -ica, feminine of -icus adjective suffix); compare Middle English beteyne, betoyne (from Anglo-French ), Old English bet(t)onice (from Latin ); -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of betony¹

C14: from Old French betoine , from Latin betonica , variant of vettonica , probably named after the Vettones , an ancient Iberian tribe

Example Sentences

Make injections of a decoction of origane mugwort, dog's mercury, betony, and eggs; inject into the womb with a female syringe.

From Project Gutenberg

If she be of full habit of body open a vein, after preparing her with syrup of betony, calamint, hyssop and feverfew.

From Project Gutenberg

First came a liquor made with betony, "for the sake of those who could not accustom themselves to the bitter taste of coffee."

From Project Gutenberg

Betony is a herb belonging to the mint family, and its root was formerly employed in medicine as an emetic or purgative.

From Project Gutenberg

After a time, when the corn is ripening, the herb betony flowers on the mounds under the oaks.

From Project Gutenberg